ERIC Number: EJ1370872
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0950-0693
EISSN: EISSN-1464-5289
Testing Assumptions of the Draw-a-Scientist-Test (DAST): Do Stereotyped Views Affect Career Aspirations?
Toma, Radu Bogdan; Orozco-Gómez, Martha Lucía; Molano Niño, Alba Carolina; Obando-Correal, Nadia Lucía; Suárez Román, Rocío Stella
International Journal of Science Education, v44 n16 p2423-2441 2022
A growing body of research addresses students' images of scientists using the Draw-a-Scientist-Test (DAST) and its Checklist (DAST-C). These protocols rest on the assumption that stereotypical views of scientists, as identified by the presence of multiple indicators in student drawings (e.g. lab coat, male gender; eyeglasses; facial hair), may affect science career interest. Yet, such an assumption remains unexplored. This study investigated whether stereotyped images of scientists identified by the DAST and DAST-C predicted and affected students' science career interests. A total of 1799 students in grades 3, 6, 9, and 11 in Colombia drew a picture of a scientist at work and reported their interest in a scientific career. Contrary to theoretical expectations, neither the original seven DAST stereotypical indicators nor the eight alternative DAST-C indicators predicted students' science career interests. Similarly, drawings of male or female scientists had no predictive power of students' science career interest. On the contrary, students interested in a science career drew significantly more stereotyped indicators than their counterparts with low interest. This study failed to find evidence supporting the contention of DAST and DAST-C protocols, and raises questions about their validity in identifying stereotipical images of scientists.
Descriptors: Freehand Drawing, Scientists, Stereotypes, Projective Measures, Occupational Aspiration, Foreign Countries, Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Grade 3, Grade 6, Grade 9, Grade 11
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; High Schools; Early Childhood Education; Grade 3; Primary Education; Grade 6; Intermediate Grades; Grade 9; Grade 11
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Colombia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A